USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892 > Part 54
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90
During the last century a long and highly esteemed succession of Quaker worthies paid numerous visits to their brethren at Dartmouth. From Thomas Story in 1699, an accomplished and cultured preacher, down through the century we trace a line of eminent ministers, both men and women, from Great Britain and our own land, who were in- cluded among these gospel messengers. John Richardson, Thomas Chalkley, Samuel Bownas, John Fothergill, John Woolman, Samuel
568
HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
Fothergill, Catharine Payton, Samuel Neale, David Ferris, David Sands, and Susannah Lightfoot may be mentioned as a few only of this num- ber, who were warmly welcomed, and their counsels prized and heeded.
The records of Dartmouth Monthly Meeting are occupied chiefly with routine matters relating to such subjects as would naturally claim the attention of a body of religious professors, as the admission of ap- plicants for membership; the enforcement of the rules of the society in the case of those who required correction, or whose misdemeanors de- manded expulsion ; the oversight of marriages, the care of the poor and destitute ; the acknowledgment of the visits of traveling ministers and the reception of fraternal epistles from their distant brethren in England, or in the other American colonies. But other matters frequently ap- pear, as when the records make allusions to their refusal to pay the ministerial tax levied for the maintenance of the Presbyterian clergy, and when they became sufferers for "truth's sake," in conscientiously refusing to bear arms and participate in military service, or declining, for the same reason, to pay their quota of the taxes levied during the French and Indian and the Revolutionary wars.
As early as the year 1716 they were led to query as to the lawful- ness of human slavery, although many of them were the possessors of slaves, their scruples arising solely from religious grounds. The first step in this line of progress was a direction to their members to forbear hereafter in being concerned in the purchase of slaves, no action being then taken looking to the manumission of those then held in that state. Care was exercised that servants should attend the meetings with their master's family, and a responsibility for their religious welfare seems to have rested upon their owners. In 1772 they were impressed with the iniquitous practice of keeping their fellow creatures in bondage, and a committee was appointed to visit the very few who were still slave- holders, and labor with them in such manner as the case demanded. At this date it would appear that the society as a whole was practically clear of the "evil," liberation of their slaves having been in progress during the previous years. But a very few members still held a limited number in bondage. Thus to use the words of the committee : " Jo- seph Russell had two negroes in bondage, and refused to set them at lib- erty. Isaac Howland, jr., had one and refused to free him. Rebecca
569
SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.
Slocum, widow, three negroes in bondage of full age, and one or two under age, and refused to liberate them, but had ordered them to be freed in her will. John Russell complied with the advice of friends, so far as to set one of two negroes free, and directed in his will that the other should be freed also, the latter being under age. William Sanford had but one slave, a female, and promptly set her at liberty. Peter Slocum freed one, and agreed to liberate the remaining ones when twenty- six years old, they being then under age."
The committee sums up in the conclusion that Joseph Russell, John Howland and the Widow Slocum are offenders in this matter, and that Peleg Slocum does not comply as extensively as they would desire. However, the spirit of freedom and justice soon predominated, and in the year 1785 there is no evidence that a single slave was held by a member of the society.
A history of the Friends of New Bedford, so-called, properly com- mences in the year 1787, when the town had its beginning. In De- cember, 1792, as has been stated, the Monthly Meeting came into existence, and in the following year the Friends living in the eastern part of the town (now Long Plain, Acushnet and Fairhaven), and those in Rochester (Mattapoisett), were added or annexed to the foregoing meeting, having heretofore been connected with the Monthly Meeting at Sandwich. Thus the meeting was established, which now exists. At the outset it possessed a membership of about 400, and during the en- suing years enjoyed, it is presumable, a slight increase in numbers, reaching the maximum, possibly, by the year 1820, just previous to the so called "New Light" separation, which had been brewing since 1817, and culminated about 1825 in the removal of a few members. The un . settlement and restlessness caused by this agitation led to further with drawals in the few subsequent years.
This separation claims but a few words, and may be passed over with the explanation that it was the result of the manifestation of an undue zeal on the part of a very few, who were led into a disregard of the practices and principles of the society, so that as they ceased to be Friends, either in belief or profession, a continuance as members was not practicable, either for themselves or for the body at large. They claimed in some instances to have received additional or "new light"
72
570
HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
in the performance of their religious duties, and hence the designation given to them. But the disturbance ultimately died away, and was heard of no more.
In the year 1845 a separation occurred, in which about twenty-five individuals withdrew, the latter being in harmony with those members of the Society of Friends in New England who were identified with John Wilbur. In the light of subsequent years it is much to be re- gretted that this division occurred. The party who retired from the Spring street body erected within a few years the meeting-house on Fifth street, near Russell street, and included some of our esteemed citizens. The monthly meeting prior to this division comprised 500 members.
Grace Episcopal Church.'-The history of this society dates back to the year 1833, when the first steps were taken toward the formation of a Protestant Episcopal Church in New Bedford. On the 2d day of October of that year a meeting was held in Mechanic's Hall, comprising among its members Messrs. Cotting, Shiverick, Harris, Fuller, Brigham, Cannon, Carr, Nye, Stephenson and others. The following officers were elected : Pardon T. Mumford, senior warden ; I. G. Harris, junior warden ; Joseph R. Shiverick, James Cannon, John Fuller, Francis L. Brigham, Greene Carr, Benjamin Mumford, vestrymen; and Benjamin Mumford, clerk. The project was largely aided by the advice and services of Rev. Mark A. De W. Howe (late Bishop of Central Pennsyl- vania), who was present at the meeting, as was also Rev. John West, of Newport.
The first name decided upon for the new society was Christ's Church, but at a meeting held November 12, 1833, it was voted to assume the name of Grace Church. The first divine service was performed by Rev. Nathaniel T. Bent, a missionary from the Episcopal Convocation to this church, on Sunday morning and afternoon, December 15, 1833. At the morning service there were only a few present, but in the evening there were about seventy-five in attendance. Mr. Bent says : "The audience was very small, but attentive. The response was conducted correctly, but feebly. Considering all the circumstances of the case, I felt on the whole, encouraged."
1 Prepared by Rev. E. S. Rousmaniere.
571
EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
The society first worshiped in what is now the old Advent chapel on Kempton street, in those days located on Middle street, where it had been occupied by the Middle Street Christian Society. In 1834 the subject of building a church was agitated, and a lot was bought on Union street, upon which, July 30, 1835, the corner stone of a wooden church of gothic style, with two towers in front, was laid, and the build- ing completed and consecrated in the following year.
The church was prosperous for several years, but in 1852, it is stated, the parish was at a low tide financially, and the church building badly in need of repair. The following year an attempt was made to erect a new stone church, but the effort was unsuccessful. In 1854, however, a new rector was secured and fresh life given to the parish and its work. The church was completely renovated and the debt extinguished. From this date the church continued to increase steadily in numbers, and a chapel was fitted up on a lot at the rear, which was purchased for that purpose. A rectory was provided and a church building fund estab- lished. This fund had reached $4,000 at the beginning of the rectorate of Rev. George A. Strong, in 1879, and to this was added generous gifts by the late Miss Susan E. Rodman and her sister, Mrs. Horatio Hathaway, which swelled the sum to $20,000. With the prospect of using the proceeds of the sale of the old church and lot, steps were im - mediately taken for the erection of a new edifice. The corner stone of the beautiful stone structure on the corner of County and School streets was laid by Rev. Dr. Rowland, on Saturday, September 1I, 1880, Rev. Phillips Brooks assisting in the service. The building was finished November 11, 1881, at which time Rev. Mr. Brooks was again present and a number of the clergy of New Bedford took part. Consecration services were held in October, 1882, by Right Rev. Benjamin H. Pad- dock, bishop of the diocese, the cost of the church, $47,000, having. been wholly paid at that time.
The six[windows in the chancel are in memory of Miss Rodman, and the two in each transept and five on the south side of the church are memorials to Hannah Haydock Rodman, Phoebe Prior, Eunice Hooper Blackler, James B. and Elizabeth A. Wood, Laura Kilburn, and Isa- bella Donaghy. All these windows are of stained glass in the richest tints.
572
HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
In the tower is the first chime of bells in New Bedford. They are ten in number and weigh about 11,000 pounds. The chime was the bequest of the late Stephen G. Driscol, and were rung for the first time on Christmas eve, 1882. On the first Sunday of May, 1886, a vested choir of men and boys was instituted under the care of George Need- ham. Mr. Needham continued in charge of the choir until Easter, 1890, when, at his resignation, F. L. Diman was appointed choir- master. In March, 1890, services were begun in the Swedish language, which are now held every Sunday afternoon at 3.30 p. m. in the chapel. Hugo Klaren, a Swedish student, officiates at these services.
A list of the successive rectors of the church since its organization follows :
Nathaniel T. Bent, 1833, to November 19, 1838: Theodore W. Snow, 1838, to Au- gust, 1841; Thomas R. Lambert, October, 1841. to November, 1845; George D. Wildes, September, 1846, to February, 1848: Sanford J. Horton, D. D., May, 1848, to Novem- ber, 1851; Charles W. Homer, September 13, 1852, to 1854: Spencer M. Rice, Febru- ary, 1855, to the spring of 1860; Josiah P. Tustin, D. D., September 3, 1860, to April, 1862; James Mulcahey, D. D., September, 1862, to 1869; Edmund Rowland, D. D., November, 1869, to December, 1878: George A. Strong, Easter, 1879, to February 9, 1889; Edmund Swett Rousmaniere, June 16, 1889, to the present time.
Mr. Rousmaniere is a native of Boston, Mass., and came to New Bedford from Pontiac, R. I., where he had been rector of All Saints' Church since 1886.
The following are the officers of the church: Horatio Hathaway, senior warden ; Edmund Rodman, junior warden ; vestrymen, Thomas Donaghy, M. U. Adams, George A. York, William D. Howland, Jona- than Howland, jr., James Delano, and Dr. C. D. Prescott; treasurer, M U. Adams; secretary John H. Pedro.
A very significant enlargement of the work of this parish was under- taken in April, 1891, when, on Easter day, the congregation subscribed the amount of $20,000 toward the erection of a parish building for social, missionary and industrial purposes. At the same time, the lot of land to the east of the church was given by a generous parishioner as the site for the new building.
St. James Episcopal Church .- This society had its foundation in the spring of 1878, by a movement on the part of the English operatives in the Wamsutta Mills, who contemplated the establishment of an
573
EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
Episcopal church independent of, and distinct from, that of Grace Church. The remote distance of the latter from the mill district, and the rapid increase in population in the North End, were among the favorable features of this movement, and at the suggestion of Rev. Edmund Rowland, then rector of Grace Church, application was made for a rector to Bishop Paddock of Massachusetts. Not having an available minister he applied to the Bishop of Connecticut, who recommended Rev. C. H. Proctor, a young graduate of the Berkeley Divinity School, who came to New Bedford and took charge of the movement. The first service was held in a shed on Purchase street, near the mills, March 10, 1878. The cobwebbed beams were hidden with sheets of Wamsutta cloth ; two packing boxes turned on end covered with calico served as altar and pulpit; the alms were collected in two bright tin plates; a borrowed parlor organ and an extemporized choir furnished the music, and a paper screen enclosed a corner for a vestry room. The names of about forty people were entered as a nucleus about which to gather the new parish. On March 28, 1878, articles of association were drawn up and signed, and the parish was christened " St. James" In the first vestry were: Wardens, Andrew Bannister and James Boardman ; treasurer, William Smith; clerk, A. McCreary; vestrymen, Sidney Smith, James Slater, William Robinson, William Phillips and George Ramsbottom. The results which have followed this humble butearnest beginning are said to have had no parallel in the church. Through the kindness of the heirs of the Rodman estate a disused school-house was loaned free of rent to the parish, and there services were for some time held. Plans for the erection of a new church were taken in hand almost immediately. On Easter day, April 21, under the direction of Judge Alanson Borden as justice of the peace, the parish received its legal organization and title, and Mr. Proctor was instituted rector. Enough money having been secured by subscription and otherwise, the parish purchased the site where the church now stands, at the corner of County and Linden streets, June 6. On Saturday, June 15, ground was broken on the new lot with appropriate services by Rectors Rowland and Proctor, and on Friday, July 25, St. James's day, the corner-stone was laid with impressive ceremonies. Rev. Dr. Mulcahey, of New York, formerly of Grace Church, and Rev. Mr. Rowland made addresses, Rev.
574
HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
Mr. Proctor laying the stone. Tuesday evening, December 24, 1878, the church was occupied for the first time, although the edifice was not wholly completed until February, 1878. So, practically by the exertions of only the parish itself, St. James's church became an actuality in less than a year's time. Since then the parish has been self-sustaining. In the first four years $16,000 was raised in cash offerings and memorial gifts. The Rev. Mr. Proctor remained with the church he had founded for a period of seven years, being succeeded in 1885 by Rev. Charles E. Barnes, who continued in the rectorship until 1890, when the present rector, Rev. Henry Aiken Metcalf, took charge of the church. He is a native of Lowell, and a graduate of Berkeley Divinity School, at Middletown, Conn., under the preceptorship of Mr. Newham. Among those who have freely and willingly helped the parish from the first is Mrs. S. Rodman Morgan. She has been its strong friend and through her efforts and faithful exertions in securing the purchase of the land for the church edifice, much of the present prosperity is due. The officers are : Clerk and treasurer, John W. Macomber ; senior warden, George Spencer; junior warden, N. B. Kerr; Frank T. Smith, Fred- erick B. Macy, Abram S. L. Gurney, William B Allen and John J. Connell, with the officers form the vestry.
St. Martin's Episcopal Church .- This church is an outgrowth of a Sunday-school which developed into the Olivet Mission, and was origin- ally' established to accommodate the English people of the South End. The first minister was Rev. J. Milton Peck, a non- resident, whopreached one year. The next and present pastor is Rev. Alfred Evan Johnson, whose service began in October, 1888. In the summer of that year land was bought of the Potomska Mill Company, and the chapel which had been built for the original Sunday-school, was removed to the lot on Rivet street. Steps were soon taken to build the present stone church and the project received such support that the corner-stone was laid June 1, 1891. The first service was held April 16, 1892. The edifice cost about $20,000, and is a memorial to the wife of Rev. Mr. Johnson, who died December 3, 1890. The present officials of the church are John Ramsbottom, warden; Matthew L. Green, clerk; Mrs. E. C. Dana, treasurer.
575
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - CATHOLIC CHURCHES.
First Presbyterian Church '-This church is situated at No 100 High street, and is comparatively a new church. The first services for Pres- byterians in New Bedford were held in Howland Chapel, October 17, 1886, by Rev E. W. Cummings. The work of organizing the church was placed in charge of Rev. W. Howell Buchanan, who held his first service January 9, 1887. A petition for organization was forwarded to the Presbytery of Boston, April 6, and the organization effected by a commission of the Presbytery, April 27, 1887, consisting of thirty-five members. The Rev. Mr. Buchanan was installed as pastor May 10, and remained with the society until June 6, 1888, at which time the mem - bership had grown to fifty-eight persons. Rev. James Mitchell was placed temporarily in charge of the congregation June 20, by Rev. Joseph Sanderson, D. D., and was called to the pastorate January 27, 1889. Steps were taken in February, 1889, for the purchase of the edifice on High street, and the last services were held in the Howland Chapel January 27, and the first services in the new house of worship on March 6. Rev. Mr. Mitchell was regularly installed on June 5, 1889, and has since remained in the pastorate. He is a native of Ohio. The elders are elected to serve for three years, and the session at present consists of James Mitchell, pastor and ex-officio moderator, and Elders John K. Young, Wm. J. Cochrane, James F. Slade, and Wm. Lindsay, jr. The officers are as follows : John K. Young, president ; James F. Slade, secretary ; Adam Shaw, collector ; Walter S. Macaulay, treas- urer ; John Savage, Wm. Riley, Wm. J. Cochran, Wm. Keith, and Wm. A. Lindsay, trustees. The Sabbath-school was organized by Rev Mr. Buchanan, February 6, 1887. It has been very successful. The officers are: William A. Lindsay, superintendent ; Roderick Mckenzie, first assistant superintendent ; Thomas Donaghy, second assistant superin- tendent; Robert Lindsay, secretary ; Elizabeth Waddington, treas- urer ; Thomas Waddington, librarian ; John Riley, assistant librarian.
St. Lawrence Catholic Church.2-New Bedford has contained among its dwellers members of the Catholic Church from as far back as the be- ginning of the present century ; but for a number of years they were few in numbers and without any place for public worship or priest to
1 Prepared by Rev. James Mitchell.
2 These sketches of the Catholic churches are taken from an article written for the Evening Standard by the late Mrs. Etta F. Martin.
576
HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
conduct it. The place was known as a " mission post" for a number of years and priests came here from Boston and elsewhere to minister to the spiritual welfare of those who held to this faith. It was not until the year 1820 that the first house of worship was built for Catholics in New Bedford. It is supposed that Rev. Philip Lariscy was the first regular pastor to settle here, and it was under his ministry that the first house was erected. The land was on Allen street and was donated by Patrick Cluney. The building was erected by Dudley Davenport and cost about $800. Bishop Cheverus, of Boston in which diocese New Bedford was then situated, dedicated the building in 1821. This church served the purpose of the congregation for nearly thirty years, when it was discarded and the old Universalist Church was purchased
for $3,000. This building was on the corner of Fifth and School streets, and the purchase was made in 1849 The former house was sold. moved away and ultimately cut in twain and made into two dwell- ings. The lot where it stood was then used as a burial ground until the present cemetery on Kempton street was purchased under the pas- torate of Father Henniss, when the remains were removed to the new lot. The parish was settled under the patronage of St. Mary, the pres- ent name of the Fifth street building.
In the course of time the congregation of St. Mary's increased so much in numbers that more commodious accommodations were impera- tively demanded. Father Henniss, then in charge of the church, ad- dressed himself to supplying the need, and the land on which the present church stands, corner of County and Hillman streets, was purchased of Dr. Lyman Bartlett for $5,500, which sum was paid up within a year. When Rev. Lawrence S. McMahon came to the church in 1865, he found this vacant lot in possession of the church and $13,300 in the treasury. In May of the same year he purchased of the heirs of Wash- ington T. Walker another lot of the same size of the first secured, and at its rear, paying for it $6,700. The first lot was used for the new church and the other for the parochial residence. In May, 1866, ground was broken for the new edifice, and in November of the same year the corner-stone was laid by the then Right Rev. John J. Williams, Bishop of Boston. The title chosen for the new church was that of the saint whose name its pastor bore-St. Lawrence, the martyr. The patron
577
CATHOLIC CHURCHES.
saint of the greater number of the parishioners, St. Patrick, was chosen as the protector of the chapel connected with the church. After three years of labor the church edifice was finished and dedicated in 1870, the chapel having been finished in 1868 and dedicated in 1869. The architect of both structures was P. C. Keeley, of Brooklyn, the most widely-known and successful Catholic church architect in America. The builder was Thomas Murphy, then a resident of New Bedford. The original design calls for a spire about thirty-five feet high. The interior of the edifice is lavishly and harmoniously decorated.
For several years after the dedication of St. Lawrence Church the Catholics of New Bedford and its vicinity were in the jurisdiction of its pastor; the rapid growth of the Portuguese and the French Canadian col- onies soon demanded separate spiritual guides. Hence, in 1867, the Portuguese element were favored with a priest from their native country in the person of Rev. F. Noya, but he died soon after reaching the scene of his labors. In 1869 Father Ignatius was appointed as assistant to Father McMahon, his special care being the Portuguese portion of the communicants. Further account of the Portuguese Church is given a little further on, and also of the Church of the Sacred Heart. In Jan- uary, 1888, a division of the English speaking Catholics occurred and the parish of St. James was established. Under Father McMahon the St. Joseph's Hospital was established in 1872.
The succession of priests who have served the St. Lawrence Church is as follows : The successors of Father Lariscy before mentioned were Revs. Robert Woodley, P. Cannabar, Peter Connolly, Francis Kearnan, John Brady, Constantine Lee, James O'Reilly, James O'Bierne and James Maguire. Father McNulty was the first settled pastor, assuming charge previous to 1849 and remaining until 1853. He was transferred to St. Peter and Paul's, at South Boston, and died in Milton. His suc- cessor was Rev. Henry E. S. Henniss, who came to St. Lawrence nct long after 1850. He died in 1859.
Rev. Joseph Patrick Tallon, who began as assistant pastor in 1859, was now promoted to the pastorate, and under his administration the church rapidly increased in prosperity. He made plans for the erection of a new church early in the war period, but the outbreak of that great struggle caused the abandonment of the project. He died September
73
578
HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
4, 1864, at the early age of thirty-one years. Rev. Lawrence Stephen McMahon's pastorate began on New Year's day, 1865. He was a native of New Brunswick, where he was born December 26, 1835. He was educated in public schools, at the Holy Cross and with the Sulspicians of Montreal. Beginning the study of philosophy in St. Mary's Semi- nary, Baltimore, he was prevented from continuing therein by illness for a year, and finally spent three years at Aix, France, and was ordained at Rome in 1860. Returning to this country he was stationed for nearly two years at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston, when he volun- teered to go with the Twenty-eighth Massachusetts Regiment to the field of war. Illness caused his early return to Boston. In 1863 he was sent to Bridgewater, whence he came to New Bedford. On the creation of the See of Providence Bishop Hendricken appointed him as vicar-general of the diocese, which he retained until his elevation to the episcopacy. On August 10, 1879, he was consecrated Bishop of Hart- ford, where he has most successfully filled the eminent office.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.